You may hear stories from fellow educators about the dutiful world of Supply Teaching and the challenges it brings, we disagree and have compiled a list of 10 very positive reasons why supply teaching is refreshing.
- No two days will ever be the same-If you are someone who likes variety and embraces change, supply teaching will fit perfectly! Contracts can be simple stand in one off days to months depending on the level of cover needed.
- Supply work is highly flexible-Supply teachers can choose the contracts or roles they would prefer to work, you could choose to work part time should you have other commitments. Perhaps you started teaching a year or a school and find it not to your suiting, then you can take another contract, although we advise to always (as much as possible) commit to seeing your current contract through, before starting a new one.
- Better work/Life balance-Unlike permanent classroom teachers, when the final bell rings for days end, you also get to leave if you are a supply teacher, the elusive 3pm finish awaits!
- Less Pressure in Supply than full time teachers-Yes, you must work well with spontaneity and students will undoubtedly try to push some boundaries which may be stressful, but your role as supply will often be less pressured than the mounting workloads, strict targets and countless reviews of a full-time classroom teacher.
- 5. Less paperwork than permanent teachers-As a supply teacher you avoid the usual stacks of work to take home, you have no parents evenings to prepare for and attend, no lengthy work meetings to sit through, less planning and reports to write, most of the paperwork that weighs heavy on permanent teachers shoulders.
- You gain a variety of experience-Supply is a great way to gain experience in a variety of teaching environments. You can gain a breadth of knowledge in school cultures, leadership/teaching styles, behaviour management approaches and techniques, office politics, teamwork, workload management. You may find supply helps you decide which type of school and year you would like to have for a full-time teaching position.
- Supply Teachers can inject a buzz of energy in the classroom-You’re not the usual classroom teacher, which means the children will recognise this, and are sure to have some interest in you, bring that interest into enthusiasm for learning.
- You can build a variety of lesson plans -Supply teachers need to be on their toes when it comes to lesson plans and following instructions from the absentee teacher, sometimes there may be a detailed full day plan, or there may be nothing at all. This might be daunting at first, but it will enable you to develop a portfolio of failsafe lesson plans and seeing other lesson plans could inspire new ideas.
- You can teach a lot of differently behaved children-Supply teaching takes you into a variety of classrooms and roles, where you will interact with many children with varying levels of behaviour, this enables you to get a general feeling for what style of teaching and behaviour management you feel would suit you best. Perhaps you would like to specialise in teaching children with challenging behaviour for example.
- Great for early risers-Supply teachers can be booked in advance, or more often, are called early in the morning before school starts, usually around 7am onward, so if you awake with bird song and like to be up and out, supply is for you.